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Rebecca Zandbergen Named Host of CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning

Award-winning CBC journalist to host Ottawa’s flagship morning radio show beginning January 14

CBC Ottawa today announced longtime CBC journalist and award-winning host Rebecca Zandbergen as the permanent host of CBC Radio’s OTTAWA MORNING, with her first day in the host chair on Tuesday, January 14. OTTAWA MORNING connects listeners to the city inside the capital, airing weekdays from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. ET on CBC Radio (91.5 FM) and streaming live on the CBC News App

“Rebecca is an immensely talented journalist and host and we couldn’t be more pleased she’s joining our station,” said Drake Fenton, CBC Ottawa’s managing editor. “Our city expects the best from Ottawa Morning and I have full confidence Rebecca will exceed the high standards set by both our team and the audience.”

Zandbergen’s career at CBC spans more than 20 years, where she’s worked as a journalist and host across the country including Iqaluit, Whitehorse, Halifax, Windsor, London and Kelowna. She spent six years as the host of LONDON MORNING and has been a recurring guest host on a variety of national CBC radio programs including THE CURRENT, SUNDAY MAGAZINE, JUST ASKING and CROSS COUNTRY CHECKUP. 

“I’ve spent years working in cities across this country and I’m so happy to be home,” said Zandbergen. “It’s an honour to do what I love in the city that means the most to me.”

*Access photos of Rebecca Zandbergen. Credit: Courtesy of CBC*

Zandbergen grew up in Iroquois, Ontario and studied journalism at Carleton University. Midway in her career, she spent nearly a year in southern and eastern Africa reporting and teaching at the National University in Rwanda and at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa. 

“My first and most important job as host is to help people better understand each other,” said Zandbergen. “There are some pretty big rifts in this country — Ottawa Morning needs to be a place where we can talk about that honestly.”

Zandbergen is the recipient of two national Radio Television Digital News Association Awards including Best Live News Special for her work on Learning from London: What will you do to end Islamophobia,” which was broadcast in the days following the murder of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario.

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About CBC/Radio-Canada:

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada's trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Katie Honshorst

Senior Communications Officer, CBC Ottawa

343-574-7110

katie.honshorst@cbc.ca 

Alisha Crawford

Senior Manager Communications, CBC Ontario

343-550-4124

alisha.crawford@cbc.ca 

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